Maritime Terms, Abbreviations and Acronyms

Maritime abbreviations and acronyms go back to those days we used telegram and telex to communicate. The business model for telex and telegrams was “pay per letter”. Even though the telegrams and telexes have been retired, we still use the maritime abbreviations daily.

Below you will find a comprehensive list of terms, abbreviations, and acronyms used in the maritime industry, sorted in alphabetical order. You can search for an acronym or write a word and find the abbreviations where the word is included.

If you think some abbreviations are missing, send us an e-mail at post@maritimeoptima.com or open the chat icon on the bottom of this page.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Interesterication

A term given to the production of esters by interaction of two esters in the presence of an alkaline or enzymatic catalyst.

Interesterification

Interesterification modifies the natural distribution of the fatty acids in fats and oils. By the use of a catalyst the combined fatty acids are induced to become detached from their original glycerol molecule and reattached in a random manner (random interesterification). A modification of this process is to lower the temperature until some of the newly formed high melting glycerides crystallise out (directed interesterification). The processes result in a different triglyceride composition which, in turn, leads to physical properties different from the native fats or oils. The products may be more useful for making margarine, vanaspati and shortening.

INTERGRAF

International Confederation of Printing and Allied Industries

Intergranular corrosion

Corrosion in or adjacent to the grain boundaries of a metal

Interior Channel

The access channel system inside a water body that connects the entrance channel (inlet or bar) to a port or harbor with appropriate ship facilities. Interior channels are usually located to provide some protection from waves and weather and are located in bays, estuaries, or rivers (EM 1110-2-1613).

Interline Freight

Freight moving from origin to destination over the Freight lines of two or more transportation car- riers.

Intermediate

A partially refined petroleum stream. Such materials require further processing to make finished products. Various intermediates sell as feedstocks. The industry also uses this word as an adjective to designate a medium score on some quality ranking--between sweet and sour, for instance.

Intermediate

A chemical intermediate is any substance generated by one step in a synthetic process and used for the succeeding step.

Intermediate crude

Petroleum with sulfur content between sweet and sour--often defined as between 0.5 and 1.0 weight percent sulfur.

Intermediate Point

A point located en route between two other points.

INTERMODAL

Carriage of a commodity by different modes of transport, i.e. sea, road, rail and air within a single journey.

International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS)

It is an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (1974/1988) on minimum security arrangements for ships, ports and government agencies. Having come into force in 2004, it prescribes responsibilities to governments, shipping companies, shipboard personnel, and port/ facility personnel to “detect security threats and take preventative measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade.”

INTERTANKO

The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners: An international organisation based in London whose aim is to represent the views of its members at International Forums.

INTN

Intention

INV

Invoice

Invoice

An itemized list of goods shipped to a buyer, stating quantities, prices, shipping charges, etc.

Inward Foreign Manifest (IFM)

A complete listing of all cargo entering the country of discharge. Required at all world ports and is the primary source of cargo control, against which duty is assessed by the receiving country.

Iodine Value

Iodine value is a measure of the total number of unsaturated double bonds present in an oil. Determination of iodine value involves the addition of an excess of halogen to the sample, reaction of the excess halogen with potassium iodide and titration of liberated iodine with standard sodium thiosulphate using starch solution as the indicator. Of the many procedures available, the most widely used are the Wijs (iodine monochloride) and Hanus (iodine) methods.

IOM

Isle of Man

IOP

Irrespecitve of percentage

IOPC

International Oil Pollution Compensation (fund)

IOPP

International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate

IOPPC

International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate

IOR

Indian Ocean Region

IOU

I owe you

IPA

Intermediate Pressure Ahead

IPA

Isopropyl Acetate

IPA

Isopropyl Alcohol

IPF

Intaken piled fathorn

IPI

Inland Point Intermodal: Refers to inland points (non–ports) that can be served by carriers on a through bill of lading.

IPIF

International Petrochemical Information Forum

IPOC

Initial Point of Contact

IPP NLS

International Pollution Prevention Noxious Liquid Substance Certificate

IPPC

EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (see Best Available Techniques)

IPS

Intermediate Pressure astern

IPSO FACTO

By the fact itself

IRD

Inland rail depot

IRO

In respect of

Iron

Iron acts as a catalyst in oxidation processes and thus it is detrimental to the quality of oils and fats. Iron is a trace metal, its presence in vegetable oils is mainly due to contamination such as wear and tear of machinery during extraction and during transportation. The natural iron content of a crude oil can rise to 4 or 5 ppm due to milling processes, transport and storage. The normal iron content of fully refined oil is 0.1 ppm or less. However, contamination during transport occasionally causes substantial increases.

Irrevocable Letter of Credit

Letter of credit in which the specified payment is guaranteed by the bank if all terms and conditions are met by the drawee and which cannot be revoked without joint agreement of both the buyer and the seller.

Irritant

A substance that produces an irritating effect when it contacts the skin, eyes, nose or respiratory system.

IRS

Indian Register of Shipping

ISF

International Shipping Federation

ISGOTT

International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals: A comprehensive guide to the safe conduct of all tanker and terminal cargo related operations

ISIF

International Styrene Information Forum. For more information, click here.

ISIS

Integrated Ship Inspection System (see CDI)

ISLWG

International Shipping Legislation Working Group (UNCTAD)

ISM

International Safety Management

ISM Code

Provides an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. This is a regulatory requirement for shipping companies.

ISM(C)

International Safety Management Code

ISMC

International Safety Management Code

ISO

Instead of or International Standard Organization

ISO 14001

Provides standards on how to manage a company''s activities in a way that minimizes harm to the environment.

ISO 9001

Provides standards any company can use to deliver good quality products or services.

Isobutane

See Butane

Isobutanol

Isobutanol is a colorless, flammable organic compound classified as an alcohol. As such, it is widely used as a solvent in chemical reactions and as a starting material for organic synthesis.

Isobutyl acetate

Isobutyl acetate is a common solvent, produced from the esterification of isobutanol with acetic acid.

Isobutylene

Isobutylene is used in organic synthesis and in the production of high octane aviation gasoline. Its main use is in the production of butyl rubber where it comprises 98% of the raw material used.

Isomer

Compounds containing the same elements in the same proportions which can exist in more than one structural form, e.g. geometric, positional or cyclic.

Isomer

One of two or more compounds of the same type and chemical formula but different configurations. For example two C4 paraffins, isobutane and normal butane have the same number of carbon and hydrogen atoms. But the carbons form a T shape in one and a straight line in the other. This difference gives each of the two isomers its own properties and uses.

Isomer-Isomeric

Two or more substances that have identical molecular formulas but different molecular structures or configurations, and hence different properties, are called isomers. Isomers differ only in the arrangement of their component atoms.

Isomerate

The motor gasoline blendstock made by a C5-C6 isomerization unit.

Isomerisation

The chemical process by which a compound is transformed into any of its isomeric forms, i.e., forms with the same chemical composition but with different structure or configuration and, hence, generally with different physical and chemical properties. An example is the conversion of n-butane to its branched-chain isomer, isobutane, by heating the butane to 100° C or higher in the presence of a catalyst.

Isomers

Materials having the same chemical formula but having different structures and properties.

Isomerzation

A process which forces one isomer to become another. The most common application in the oil industry involves twisting linear paraffins into branched-chain form. Many refiners turn into isobutane, and a normal pentane hexane stream into an isopentaneisohexane mix. Some petrochemicals producers use an isomerization process to make para-xylene as possible from mixed xylenes.

ISOPA

The European Isocyanate Producers Association, an affiliate of Cefic.

Isoparaffins

Branched-chain saturate hydrocarbons. Any paraffin composed of four or more carbon atoms can have one or more isoparaffinic isomers.

Isophorone

Isophorone is a clear liquid that can be dissolved in water. It is an industrial chemical used extensively as a solvent in some printing inks, paints, lacquers, adhesives, vinyl resins, copolymers, coatings, finishes, and pesticides, in addition to being used as a chemical intermediate.

Isopropanol

Isopropanol is a major component of rubbing alcohols. Isopropanol is a secondary alcohol. It is one of the cheapest alcohols and has replaced ethanol for many uses because of its similar solvent properties. Isopropanol was formerly obtained largely by catalytic reduction of acetone ; oxidation of isopropanol is now the major source of acetone.

Isopropyl acetate

Isopropyl Acetate is a fast evaporating, mild odor solvent that is miscible with most common organic solvents and has properties intermediate between ethyl and butyl acetates. Isopropyl acetate can be used as surfactant in cleaning fluids, coatings, coatings for automotive, coatings for plastic, nail care, printing inks, solvents for cosmetics and personal care, and solvents for fragrances.

ISPS

International Ship and Port Facility Security

ISPS CODE

International Ship and Port Facility Security Code

ISSC

International Ship Security Certificate

Issuing Bank

Bank that opens a straight or negotiable letter of credit and assumes the obligation to pay the bank or beneficiary if the documents presented are in accordance with the terms of the letter of credit.

Issuing Carrier

The carrier issuing transportation documents or publishing a tariff.

ISTEC

Intertanko Technical Committee

ISWG

Intersessional Working Group on Maritime Security

IT

Immediate Transport: The document (prepared by the carrier) allows shipment to proceed from the port of entry in the U.S. to Customs clearing at the destination. The shipment clears Customs at its final destination. Also called an “In–Transit” Entry.

ITC

International Tonnage Certificate

ITF

International Transport Workers Fedration

ITF

International Transportworkers Federation

ITF or ITFW

International Transport Worker’s Federation

ITOPF

International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation

ITOSF

Informal Tanker Operator's Safety Forum

IU

If Used

IUATUC

If used actual time used to count

IUATUTC

If Used, Actual Time Used To Count

IUHATUTC

If Used, Half Actual Time Used To Count

IUHTAUTC

If Used, Half Time Actually used to Count

IV

Invoice value or increased value

IVR

Rhine Barge Register: International Association for the representation of the mutual interests of the inland shipping and the insurance and for keeping the register of inland vessels in Europe.

IWL

Institute Warranty Limits

j. & w.o.

Jettison and washing overboard

Jacket

A wood or fiber cover placed around such containers as cans and bottles.

Jacket Launching Pontoon

A pontoon designed for positioning and launching jackets for offshore use

Jacket Launching Pontoon, semi submersible

A semi submersible pontoon designed for positioning and launching jackets for offshore use

Jacob’s Ladder

A rope ladder suspended from the side of a vessel and used for boarding.

JBL

Jubail

JCC

Joint Cargo Committee

JCRA

Joint Common Risks Agreement
By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Cookie Policy for more information.